Ukraine can still win, but not if Trump keeps chasing a cease-fire Russia doesn’t want

j brown's body · May 16, 2025

"Contrary to what many analysts, journalists and politicians are saying, Ukraine can still defeat the Russian army and drive it out of their country — not just “hold out for an indefinite period,” as retired U.S. Navy Admiral James Stavridis put it in March. But victory will not come from the close fight alone. Ukraine simply does not have the manpower or weapons necessary to dislodge Russian defenders from their fighting positions in a direct fire engagement.

Linear thinking will only result in needless loss of life, playing right into Russian President Vladimir Putin’s desire for a war of attrition. To defeat Russia, Ukraine must first secure its skies, then win the deep fight, interdict Russia’s supply lines and isolate Russian forces in Ukraine from their lifeline. The last 100 days should have demonstrated to Team Trump that playing along with Russian negotiators’ games will not bring about an end to the war. Kremlin cease-fire talk is just deliberate misdirection. Putin’s conditions have not changed — he is simply buying time. Unlike the U.S. and NATO, Russia already has a clear end state in mind: “Russia will accept nothing less than total victory over Ukraine.” But as retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg has stated, “Russia’s not winning this war. Russia has not made any major advances in the last year and a half.”

So, how exactly does Ukraine defeat Russia? Isolate and destroy Russian ground forces in Ukraine by attacking their ability to sustain their army and their ability to wage war. This will create siege warfare-like conditions for Russian ground forces in the close fight. They will be left eventually to wither on the vine, vulnerable to defeat by a decisive combined arms offensive. ...This would involve three phases. First comes the destruction of Russia’s deep strike capability. A no-fly zone over Ukraine would protect civilians being targeted by Russian ballistic missiles and drones. European countries have already put forth an initiative called Sky Shield, the deployment of 120 fighter jets as part of a European air force to protect Kyiv and western Ukraine. Ukraine would also need the air defense systems and munitions to create an integrated, layered air defense belt like the one Israel employed to defeat the Iranian attacks in April and October 2024. ...Phase two starts with turning back on the flow of weapons, munitions and intelligence to Ukraine, reactivating the logistical throughput of military aid from the Rzeszów-Jasionka airport in Poland is mission critical. ...Phase three is the decisive push of Russian forces out of Ukraine. Once the conditions have been set, a combined arms offensive including close air support can be launched, driving Russian forces from the occupied territories just when Russia is at its weakest."

Link

If we want peace, we'll have to fight for it.

Tigerace117 · May 16, 2025

j brown's body said:
"Contrary to what many analysts, journalists and politicians are saying, Ukraine can still defeat the Russian army and drive it out of their country — not just “hold out for an indefinite period,” as retired U.S. Navy Admiral James Stavridis put it in March. But victory will not come from the close fight alone. Ukraine simply does not have the manpower or weapons necessary to dislodge Russian defenders from their fighting positions in a direct fire engagement.

Linear thinking will only result in needless loss of life, playing right into Russian President Vladimir Putin’s desire for a war of attrition. To defeat Russia, Ukraine must first secure its skies, then win the deep fight, interdict Russia’s supply lines and isolate Russian forces in Ukraine from their lifeline. The last 100 days should have demonstrated to Team Trump that playing along with Russian negotiators’ games will not bring about an end to the war. Kremlin cease-fire talk is just deliberate misdirection. Putin’s conditions have not changed — he is simply buying time. Unlike the U.S. and NATO, Russia already has a clear end state in mind: “Russia will accept nothing less than total victory over Ukraine.” But as retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg has stated, “Russia’s not winning this war. Russia has not made any major advances in the last year and a half.”

So, how exactly does Ukraine defeat Russia? Isolate and destroy Russian ground forces in Ukraine by attacking their ability to sustain their army and their ability to wage war. This will create siege warfare-like conditions for Russian ground forces in the close fight. They will be left eventually to wither on the vine, vulnerable to defeat by a decisive combined arms offensive. ...This would involve three phases. First comes the destruction of Russia’s deep strike capability. A no-fly zone over Ukraine would protect civilians being targeted by Russian ballistic missiles and drones. European countries have already put forth an initiative called Sky Shield, the deployment of 120 fighter jets as part of a European air force to protect Kyiv and western Ukraine. Ukraine would also need the air defense systems and munitions to create an integrated, layered air defense belt like the one Israel employed to defeat the Iranian attacks in April and October 2024. ...Phase two starts with turning back on the flow of weapons, munitions and intelligence to Ukraine, reactivating the logistical throughput of military aid from the Rzeszów-Jasionka airport in Poland is mission critical. ...Phase three is the decisive push of Russian forces out of Ukraine. Once the conditions have been set, a combined arms offensive including close air support can be launched, driving Russian forces from the occupied territories just when Russia is at its weakest."

Link

If we want peace, we'll have to fight for it.

The utter failure of Ukraine’s offensives over the last year and a half have apparently taught the West absolutely nothing.

There are few bigger warhawks, of course, than retired generals and admirals.

A “no fly zone over Ukraine” would directly drag the West into the war, as there is zero chance the Russians would abide by any such demand.

Integrityrespec · May 16, 2025

j brown's body said:
"Contrary to what many analysts, journalists and politicians are saying, Ukraine can still defeat the Russian army and drive it out of their country — not just “hold out for an indefinite period,” as retired U.S. Navy Admiral James Stavridis put it in March. But victory will not come from the close fight alone. Ukraine simply does not have the manpower or weapons necessary to dislodge Russian defenders from their fighting positions in a direct fire engagement.

Linear thinking will only result in needless loss of life, playing right into Russian President Vladimir Putin’s desire for a war of attrition. To defeat Russia, Ukraine must first secure its skies, then win the deep fight, interdict Russia’s supply lines and isolate Russian forces in Ukraine from their lifeline. The last 100 days should have demonstrated to Team Trump that playing along with Russian negotiators’ games will not bring about an end to the war. Kremlin cease-fire talk is just deliberate misdirection. Putin’s conditions have not changed — he is simply buying time. Unlike the U.S. and NATO, Russia already has a clear end state in mind: “Russia will accept nothing less than total victory over Ukraine.” But as retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg has stated, “Russia’s not winning this war. Russia has not made any major advances in the last year and a half.”

So, how exactly does Ukraine defeat Russia? Isolate and destroy Russian ground forces in Ukraine by attacking their ability to sustain their army and their ability to wage war. This will create siege warfare-like conditions for Russian ground forces in the close fight. They will be left eventually to wither on the vine, vulnerable to defeat by a decisive combined arms offensive. ...This would involve three phases. First comes the destruction of Russia’s deep strike capability. A no-fly zone over Ukraine would protect civilians being targeted by Russian ballistic missiles and drones. European countries have already put forth an initiative called Sky Shield, the deployment of 120 fighter jets as part of a European air force to protect Kyiv and western Ukraine. Ukraine would also need the air defense systems and munitions to create an integrated, layered air defense belt like the one Israel employed to defeat the Iranian attacks in April and October 2024. ...Phase two starts with turning back on the flow of weapons, munitions and intelligence to Ukraine, reactivating the logistical throughput of military aid from the Rzeszów-Jasionka airport in Poland is mission critical. ...Phase three is the decisive push of Russian forces out of Ukraine. Once the conditions have been set, a combined arms offensive including close air support can be launched, driving Russian forces from the occupied territories just when Russia is at its weakest."

Link

If we want peace, we'll have to fight for it.

Ukraine cannot win. Not without an enormous amount of funding, military aid, weapons provided, and eventually with boots on the ground. Ukraine is struggling to put troops on the line. Biden blocked any win by trying not to escalate the conflict by not giving them the type of weapons it needed to win. Biden also pressured European Allies not to provide certain weapons. Why? Biden was weak, not clear minded, afraid of Putin, or maybe afraid of what Putin knew about Hunters revenue stream? Who knows, but certainly Biden put the conflict in a place where winning became more and more difficult.
Your battler plan requires a lot of help, and even then the Russians have more bodies to sacrifice. Putin doesn't seem to care.
Here's an article explaining the problems with ending the war and SkySheild.

European NATO: Combat Air Patrols for Ukraine

Dozens of European combat aircraft could make a deterrent force for Ukraine credible and formidable, as the SkyShield initiative proposes.

cepa.org

Ahlevah · May 16, 2025

j brown's body said:
If we want peace, we'll have to fight for it.

If a bunch of illiterate goat herders with Kalashnikovs, RPGs, and a book can win, driving from their lands the “crusaders” with their fancy weapons and the world’s #1 army with the support of an international coalition, then Ukraine can beat an army using motorbikes and donkeys for transport. As former Commanding General U.S. Army Europe Ben Hodges has repeatedly said, winning a war is a question of will and logistics, neither of which Russia is excelling at at the moment. They previously depended on artillery, but those require heavy transport. I mean, it took them two years to get six miles from Bakhmut to Chassiv Yar. They’ve been stuck there for a year, with tremendous losses in personnel and equipment. Ukraine not only can shove the Russian Army out of the country, but I like its odds, especially as Ukrainian separatists in Russian-occupied regions appear to be becoming increasingly disillusioned with Putin’s harsh repressive measures. It would be to Ukraine’s benefit to talk to those people and give them some measure of autonomy in exchange for agreeing to remain under Ukrainian sovereignty.

j brown's body · May 16, 2025

Integrityrespec said:
Ukraine cannot win. Not without an enormous amount of funding, military aid, weapons provided, and eventually with boots on the ground. Ukraine is struggling to put troops on the line. Biden blocked any win by trying not to escalate the conflict by not giving them the type of weapons it needed to win. Biden also pressured European Allies not to provide certain weapons. Why? Biden was weak, not clear minded, afraid of Putin, or maybe afraid of what Putin knew about Hunters revenue stream? Who knows, but certainly Biden put the conflict in a place where winning became more and more difficult.
Your battler plan requires a lot of help, and even then the Russians have more bodies to sacrifice. Putin doesn't seem to care.
Here's an article explaining the problems with ending the war and SkySheild.

European NATO: Combat Air Patrols for Ukraine

Dozens of European combat aircraft could make a deterrent force for Ukraine credible and formidable, as the SkyShield initiative proposes.

cepa.org

The author lays out some pretty specific ideas about how his goals can be achieved.

Lycanthrope · May 16, 2025

Haven't we reached the point yet where Dear Leader starts equipping Ukraine "like never before" because Putin won't be nice?

Or was that another exaggeration said in jest?

Hamish Howl · May 16, 2025

Ukraine can win either way.

Ahlevah · May 16, 2025

Integrityrespec said:
Ukraine cannot win. Not without an enormous amount of funding, military aid, weapons provided, and eventually with boots on the ground. Ukraine is struggling to put troops on the line….

You know, I’ve seen the channels of YouTubers who get their info straight from the propagandists at the Russian MoD, but I prefer to go to the source: Ukrainian separatists who’ve given years of their lives fighting for a cause they believe in. They disagree with you. All is not peaches and cream fighting “Nazis” at the front:

^^^ Ukrainian Separatist ^^^

Cosmo · May 16, 2025

Tigerace117 said:
The utter failure of Ukraine’s offensives over the last year and a half have apparently taught the West absolutely nothing.

Could you explain what exactly we were supposed to learn? That we can cut down Russian population without taking any risks or losing any treasure or lives?

Tigerace117 said:
There are few bigger warhawks, of course, than retired generals and admirals.

A “no fly zone over Ukraine” would directly drag the West into the war, as there is zero chance the Russians would abide by any such demand.

They can keep dying in Ukraine, then. Doesn't hurt me any.

Tigerace117 · May 16, 2025

Cosmo said:
Could you explain what exactly we were supposed to learn? That we can cut down Russian population without taking any risks or losing any treasure or lives?

They can keep dying in Ukraine, then. Doesn't hurt me any.

Gee, I do believe that was the excuse for arming Islamic extremists in Afghanistan as well. How’d that go again?

I get using the Ukrainians as expendable cannon fodder appeals to America, but that doesn’t actually change the facts....and assuming said cannon fodder is willing to fight indefinitely, given their repeated defeats over more than a year, is assuming a lot.

Cosmo · May 16, 2025

Tigerace117 said:
Gee, I do believe that was the excuse for arming Islamic extremists in Afghanistan as well. How’d that go again?

View attachment 67570277

So...Ukraine is gonna use HIMARS to crash a plane into the twin towers?

Tigerace117 said:
I get using the Ukrainians as expendable cannon fodder appeals to America, but that doesn’t actually change the facts....and assuming said cannon fodder is willing to fight indefinitely, given their repeated defeats over more than a year, is assuming a lot.

What are we assuming? They keep fighting, Russians keep dying. There's nothing to assume. We can just take this one day at a time (or however often I can remember to look at the Ukraine war news feed). So we don't really need to assume they'll keep fighting indefinitely. Again, what's the problem with the Biden approach (other than that it's a bit slow)? Why does anything need to be changed?

Tigerace117 · May 16, 2025

Cosmo said:
So...Ukraine is gonna use HIMARS to crash a plane into the twin towers?

What are we assuming? They keep fighting, Russians keep dying. There's nothing to assume. We can just take this one day at a time (or however often I can remember to look at the Ukraine war news feed). So we don't really need to assume they'll keep fighting indefinitely. Again, what's the problem with the Biden approach (other than that it's a bit slow)? Why does anything need to be changed?

America threw a giant tantrum over its actions literally blowing up its face and started two wars it lost, so clearly y’all didn’t learn from that lesson either.

The Ukrainians keep dying as well, just like those Nazis America mourns so much. And given the disintegration of multiple units without firing a shot, and Ukraine’s struggles with conscription,

Other the fact it’s clearly failed, as the Ukrainians have suffered defeat after defeat and, contrary to the confident assertions of the last several years, are not even remotely close to victory.

And even the OP’s article admits it, which is why its calling for America to enter the war.

Infinite Chaos · May 16, 2025

j brown's body said:
"Contrary to what many analysts, journalists and politicians are saying, Ukraine can still defeat the Russian army and drive it out of their country — not just “hold out for an indefinite period,” as retired U.S. Navy Admiral James Stavridis put it in March. But victory will not come from the close fight alone. Ukraine simply does not have the manpower or weapons necessary to dislodge Russian defenders from their fighting positions in a direct fire engagement.

Linear thinking will only result in needless loss of life, playing right into Russian President Vladimir Putin’s desire for a war of attrition. To defeat Russia, Ukraine must first secure its skies, then win the deep fight, interdict Russia’s supply lines and isolate Russian forces in Ukraine from their lifeline. The last 100 days should have demonstrated to Team Trump that playing along with Russian negotiators’ games will not bring about an end to the war. Kremlin cease-fire talk is just deliberate misdirection. Putin’s conditions have not changed — he is simply buying time. Unlike the U.S. and NATO, Russia already has a clear end state in mind: “Russia will accept nothing less than total victory over Ukraine.” But as retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg has stated, “Russia’s not winning this war. Russia has not made any major advances in the last year and a half.”

So, how exactly does Ukraine defeat Russia? Isolate and destroy Russian ground forces in Ukraine by attacking their ability to sustain their army and their ability to wage war. This will create siege warfare-like conditions for Russian ground forces in the close fight. They will be left eventually to wither on the vine, vulnerable to defeat by a decisive combined arms offensive. ...This would involve three phases. First comes the destruction of Russia’s deep strike capability. A no-fly zone over Ukraine would protect civilians being targeted by Russian ballistic missiles and drones. European countries have already put forth an initiative called Sky Shield, the deployment of 120 fighter jets as part of a European air force to protect Kyiv and western Ukraine. Ukraine would also need the air defense systems and munitions to create an integrated, layered air defense belt like the one Israel employed to defeat the Iranian attacks in April and October 2024. ...Phase two starts with turning back on the flow of weapons, munitions and intelligence to Ukraine, reactivating the logistical throughput of military aid from the Rzeszów-Jasionka airport in Poland is mission critical. ...Phase three is the decisive push of Russian forces out of Ukraine. Once the conditions have been set, a combined arms offensive including close air support can be launched, driving Russian forces from the occupied territories just when Russia is at its weakest."

Link

If we want peace, we'll have to fight for it.

The success of Ukraine's SAM batteries already establishes a no-fly zone over Ukraine, I'm not convinced of a combined arms offensive against one of the biggest minefields on the planet. Ukraine has done well targeting Russian oil facilities and should do more here, hitting Russian financially as hard as it can.

Ahlevah · May 16, 2025

Tigerace117 said:
The utter failure of Ukraine’s offensives over the last year and a half have apparently taught the West absolutely nothing.

Kursk has been a disaster for Russia. They had to start importing North Koreans and Chinese scooters.

Tigerace117 said:
There are few bigger warhawks, of course, than retired generals and admirals.

Like Putin’s propaganda talking heads on Russia 1 who want to nuke London, Brussels, Washington….

Tigerace117 said:
A “no fly zone over Ukraine” would directly drag the West into the war, as there is zero chance the Russians would abide by any such demand.

As far as Russia is concerned, the West is already in the war, not because it was dragged into it but because your dad invaded Ukraine. I mean, you don’t make nuclear threats, plot assassinations and blowing up airliners, and destroy underwater cables unless you think you’re already involved in a conflict. No one is buying any of Putin’s “partner” BS.

Tigerace117 · May 16, 2025

Ahlevah said:
Kursk has been a disaster for Russia. They had to start importing North Koreans and Chinese scooters.

Like Putin’s propaganda talking heads on Russia 1 who want to nuke London, Brussels, Washington….

As far as Russia is concerned, the West is already in the war, not because it was dragged into it but because your dad invaded Ukraine. I mean, you don’t make nuclear threats, plot assassinations and blowing up airliners, and destroy underwater cables unless you think you’re already involved in a conflict. No one is buying any of Putin’s “partner” BS.

The Ukrainians being chased back over the border strongly argues otherwise, and as far as the North Koreans go.....the US made extremely extensive use of foreign “contractors” in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

You say that like the US isn’t openly planning to annex Canada and attack Greenland.

Gee dude, in case you hadn’t noticed it was the Ukrainians who bombed Nordstream. The West clearly doesn’t actually see that as an “act of war”

Western pilots being sent to get blown out of the sky is entirely different than “threats”.

It’s always hilarious watching the guy who falls all over himself praising corrupt tyrants like Chiang Kai Shek and Sygnman Rhee posture about Putin, though.

Cosmo · May 16, 2025

Tigerace117 said:
America threw a giant tantrum over its actions literally blowing up its face and started two wars it lost, so clearly y’all didn’t learn from that lesson either.

The Ukrainians keep dying as well,

Do you live in Ukraine or something? I'm just confused as to why you keep switching to that when I asked you to convince me why things should change. I don't live in Ukraine. I don't live in Russia. So I care not a whole lot about their dying.

So you have failed to convince me. If Ukraine is destined to lose as you seem to think, wouldn't we want to drag the war out as long as possible?

Tigerace117 said:
just like those Nazis America mourns so much. And given the disintegration of multiple units without firing a shot, and Ukraine’s struggles with conscription,

Again more stupid shit I as an American don't give a shit about.

Zelensky can deal with that bullshit. I'm more concerned about the weather this evening.

Tigerace117 said:
Other the fact it’s clearly failed, as the Ukrainians have suffered defeat after defeat and, contrary to the confident assertions of the last several years, are not even remotely close to victory.

Again, why should I care? Do you think I have a Ukraine victory parade booked or something?

Tigerace117 said:
And even the OP’s article admits it, which is why its calling for America to enter the war.

You have a bizarre way of debating, rambling about Nazis, conscription, and the twin towers.

Tigerace117 · May 16, 2025

Cosmo said:
Do you live in Ukraine or something? I'm just confused as to why you keep switching to that when I asked you to convince me why things should change. I don't live in Ukraine. I don't live in Russia. So I care not a whole lot about their dying.

So you have failed to convince me. If Ukraine is destined to lose as you seem to think, wouldn't we want to drag the war out as long as possible?

Again more stupid shit I as an American don't give a shit about.

Zelensky can deal with that bullshit. I'm more concerned about the weather this evening.

Again, why should I care? Do you think I have a Ukraine victory parade booked or something?

You have a bizarre way of debating, rambling about Nazis, conscription, and the twin towers.

Because unlike you I don’t subscribe to the philosophy that using other people as cannon fodder in the name of “fighting Russia” is a good thing.

But hey, way to admit the “but Putin” crowd doesn’t actually give a shit about the Ukrainians.

Why, so the Russians can wreck more much vaunted Western equipment and kill even more Ukrainians in Kiev’s failed offensives?

Seeing as the Nazis murdered significantly more innocent civilians than anyone else in European history, that speaks volumes about you....and none of it good.

Because the strategy A) isn’t working and B) is getting a lot of Ukrainians killed in defeat after defeat.

And the US entering the war would be even more idiotic.

Cosmo · May 16, 2025

Tigerace117 said:
Because unlike you I don’t subscribe to the philosophy that using other people as cannon fodder in the name of “fighting Russia” is a good thing.

I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.

Tigerace117 said:
But hey, way to admit the “but Putin” crowd doesn’t actually give a shit about the Ukrainians.

I admit I'm selfish.

Tigerace117 said:
Why, so the Russians can wreck more much vaunted Western equipment and kill even more Ukrainians in Kiev’s failed offensives?

You're missing all the good the war has done, such as assist Putin with fighting overpopulation in Russia, help get Russian women coffin money, etc...

Tigerace117 said:
Seeing as the Nazis murdered significantly more innocent civilians than anyone else in European history, that speaks volumes about you....and none of it good.

More nonsensical rambling about Nazis...

Tigerace117 said:
Because the strategy A) isn’t working and B) is getting a lot of Ukrainians killed in defeat after defeat.

They're gonna end up in a Bucha-style mass grave if they lose anyway. They may as well die fighting.

Tigerace117 said:
And the US entering the war would be even more idiotic.

Sometimes war is necessary to secure lasting peace.

Tigerace117 · May 16, 2025

Cosmo said:
I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.

I admit I'm selfish.

You're missing all the good the war has done, such as assist Putin with fighting overpopulation in Russia, help get Russian women coffin money, etc...

More nonsensical rambling about Nazis...

They're gonna end up in a Bucha-style mass grave if they lose anyway. They may as well die fighting.

Sometimes war is necessary to secure lasting peace.

Yeah, so seeing as you don’t actually give a shit about the Ukrainians all that talk about Putin is literally just worthless hot air.

It’s also destroyed the mystique of all those supposedly invincible American weapons, humiliated the West repeatedly, and gotten a bunch of Ukrainians killed.

Except you already admitted you don’t give a shit about the Ukrainians getting killed, so you going on about Bucha is worthless.

America being obliterated, which is what would result from the plan, is hardly a “lasting peace”

Cosmo · May 16, 2025

Tigerace117 said:
Yeah, so seeing as you don’t actually give a shit about the Ukrainians all that talk about Putin is literally just worthless hot air.

What do you mean? I think Putin is bad news because he's waging a war of aggression in Europe and will continue past Ukraine if we appease him. Same as during World War II. Whether one cares about Ukrainians in and of themselves is irrelevant.

Tigerace117 said:
It’s also destroyed the mystique of all those supposedly invincible

Who said they were invincible?

Tigerace117 said:
American weapons, humiliated the West repeatedly,

Well, I hope all the dead Russians' wives, mothers, and daughters are glad their relatives died to "humiliate" us. Can we keep this "humiliated" thing going for another 3-4 years?

Tigerace117 said:
and gotten a bunch of Ukrainians killed.

Except you already admitted you don’t give a shit about the Ukrainians getting killed, so you going on about Bucha is worthless.

I'm just pointing out why Ukrainians keep fighting and why it's in their interest since you brought up their interests ("getting a lot of Ukrainians killed"). It's because they don't want to end up in a mass grave after being raped and tortured. Just addressing your question!

Tigerace117 said:
America being obliterated, which is what would result from the plan, is hardly a “lasting peace”

Russia can't even take Kiev. It's been stuck in a quagmire with barely moving front lines for over 3 years. Russia "obliterating" America sounds like a pipe dream a Russian propagandist might ramble about on Russian government TV.

j brown's body · May 16, 2025

Cosmo said:
Could you explain what exactly we were supposed to learn? That we can cut down Russian population without taking any risks or losing any treasure or lives?

They can keep dying in Ukraine, then. Doesn't hurt me any.

Oh boy. Don't expect a straight answer. A personal insult, a given.

Juin · May 16, 2025

j brown's body said:
If we want peace, we'll have to fight for it.

""Ukraine can still win, but not if Trump keeps chasing a cease-fire Russia doesn’t want""

The Hill opinion piece, as well as dozens of other western talking points, try to pretend away what may be an unpleasant reality: Russia has the upper hand. The correct question should be: why are UK, France, Germany asking for a ceasefire?????????????

If a party in a conflict is moving heaven and earth to get a ceasefire it is because that party has lost the initiative. Period. In that case discussions of how Ukraine can still win is plain silly.

Juin · May 16, 2025

Tigerace117 said:
The utter failure of Ukraine’s offensives over the last year and a half have apparently taught the West absolutely nothing.
There are few bigger warhawks, of course, than retired generals and admirals.

What's going on is political posturing by UK, France and Germany. Plain and simple. The calls for ceasefire by these diminishing powers is shrill and defeaning. But make no mistake. It is to mask an unpleasant reality: they have lost the initiative in Ukraine. It is unheard of in the anals of human history that a party in a conflict that has the upper hand is the one screaming loudly for a ceasefire. In 2022 the UK, France and Germany were confident that their arms and sanctions will collapse Russia. That confidence was buried in the failed 2023 counteroffensive. These gentlemen gambled everything and lost. 2024 convinced observers outside the west that Ukraine will lose the war of attrition. Now there are rumours of Russian Armies taking to the field summer 2025, and these gentlemen have nothing more to give. Macron in a sober interview yesterday said as much.

The loud screams for ceasefire are cries for help

Tigerace117 said:
A “no fly zone over Ukraine” would directly drag the West into the war, as there is zero chance the Russians would abide by any such demand.

Only opion pieces believe in a no fly zone

Juin · May 16, 2025

Ahlevah said:
If a bunch of illiterate goat herders with Kalashnikovs, RPGs, and a book can win, driving from their lands the “crusaders” with their fancy weapons and the world’s #1 army with the support of an international coalition, then Ukraine can beat an army using motorbikes and donkeys for transport. As former Commanding General U.S. Army Europe Ben Hodges has repeatedly said, winning a war is a question of will and logistics, neither of which Russia is excelling at at the moment. They previously depended on artillery, but those require heavy transport. I mean, it took them two years to get six miles from Bakhmut to Chassiv Yar. They’ve been stuck there for a year, with tremendous losses in personnel and equipment. Ukraine not only can shove the Russian Army out of the country, but I like its odds, especially as Ukrainian separatists in Russian-occupied regions appear to be becoming increasingly disillusioned with Putin’s harsh repressive measures. It would be to Ukraine’s benefit to talk to those people and give them some measure of autonomy in exchange for agreeing to remain under Ukrainian sovereignty.

If wishes were horses, everybody would ride. Wars are not opinion pieces by sub par Generals like Ben Hodges. The worth of a General is not in daily podcasts of what weapons can win a war. For that we dont need a General, a Mother Theresa will do. The difference a General brings, and why we give weight to Generals, is that we rely on their assessments of what realistically can be delivered to Ukraine, not loud screams for what it cannot have. As Donald Rumsfeld aptly pointed out once, you go to war with what you have, not what you wish you had. Maybe Ben Hodges should have listened to Rumsfeld. He didnt. In the event he failed in his prognostics of the success of Ukraine;s counteroffensive. Ben Hodges was at the fore front of the clowns who seriously believed the counteroffensive will break through to the Azov Sea. It did not even break the Russian lines

Juin · May 16, 2025

Ahlevah said:
You know, I’ve seen the channels of YouTubers who get their info straight from the propagandists at the Russian MoD, but I prefer to go to the source: Ukrainian separatists who’ve given years of their lives fighting for a cause they believe in. They disagree with you. All is not peaches and cream fighting “Nazis” at

You are quite an accomplished propagandist in your own right. If your separatists are so formidable how come it is UK France and Germany asking for a ceasefire?

Ukraine can still win, but not if Trump keeps chasing a cease-fire Russia doesn’t want

j brown's body

"A Soros-backed animal"

Tigerace117

Integrityrespec

European NATO: Combat Air Patrols for Ukraine

Ahlevah

j brown's body

"A Soros-backed animal"

European NATO: Combat Air Patrols for Ukraine

Lycanthrope

Hamish Howl

Horrible Bastard

Ahlevah

Cosmo

Tigerace117

Cosmo

Tigerace117

Infinite Chaos

Ahlevah

Tigerace117

Cosmo

Tigerace117

Cosmo

Tigerace117

Cosmo

j brown's body

"A Soros-backed animal"

Juin

""Ukraine can still win, but not if Trump keeps chasing a cease-fire Russia doesn’t want""

Juin

Juin

Juin

Ukraine can still win, but not if Trump keeps chasing a cease-fire Russia doesn’t want

"A Soros-backed animal"

"A Soros-backed animal"

Horrible Bastard

"A Soros-backed animal"

""Ukraine can still win, but not if Trump keeps chasing a cease-fire Russia doesn’t want""​

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency

""Ukraine can still win, but not if Trump keeps chasing a cease-fire Russia doesn’t want""